Halloween Costume Party
Twenty children arrived in costume at the Toms River Branch Wednesday night. They first enjoyed a scary story time with books that included: When a Monster is Born (Sean Taylor), Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich (Adam Rex), Monster Museum (Marilyn Singer), and Goodnight Good: A Petrifying Parody (Michael Rex). This was followed by a trick-or-treat parade through the library where the Darth Vader’s and Harry Potter’s received an OCL pencil from Circ and a candy bag of goodies from Information Services. Then it was back to the Discovery Room for some creepy crawly snacks (spiders made from an Oreo cookie mounted on a sugar cookie with Twizzler legs and M&M eyes). Two games rounded out the evening: Pin the Spider on the Web and Monster Memory Matching. Winners went home with pumpkin carving kits while two runner-ups received a handmade, embroidered pillowcase just in time for Halloween.
Children’s Picture Book List: Who’s Afraid of the Dark?
Here are some ghosts-goblins-monsters-and-other-scary-creatures books on my Halloween themed display in the Children’s section. Some will also be used during story time (bolded) later this month when I host a Halloween party for kids ages 4 – 8.
Fiction
Allen, Jonathon. “I’m Not Scared!” 2007.
Crimi, Carolyn. Boris and Bella. 2004.
Lichtenheld, Tom. Everthing I know About Monsters: A collection of made-up facts, educated guesses, and silly pictures about creatures of creepiness. 2002.
Mayer, Mercer. There’s a Nightmare in my Closer. 1968.
O’Connor, George. Sally and the Something. 2006.
O’Malley, Timothy. Velcome. 1997.
Postgate, Daniel. Engelbert Sneem and His Dream Vacuum Machine. 2006.
Taylor, Sean. When a Monster is Born. 2006.
Rex, Adam. Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich and other stories you’re sure to like because they’re all about monsters, and some of them are also about food. 2006.
Rex, Adam. Frankenstein Takes the Cake. 2008.
Rex, Michael. Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody. 2008.
Stewart, Joel. Dexter Bexley and the Big Blue Beasty. 2007.
Wilson, Karma. Bear Feels Scared. 2008.
NonFiction
Howitt, Mary Botham. The Spider and the Fly. 2002.
Singer, Marilyn. Monster Museum. 2001.
Singer, Marilyn. Creature Carnival. 2004.
Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex
I never really loved Goodnight Moon, but I do love Goodnight Goon! Just in time for Halloween, this parody is funny and perfect for read alouds.
